JP5345362B2 - Mechanical assembly used for sheet metal processing, equipped with sheet metal processing device and transport device - Google Patents

Abstract

The transport unit (2) includes workpiece carriers (8) on which the sheet metal workpieces (7) is laid. The workpiece is moved along a transport path running along first and second transport lines (X, Y). A transport track (3) is provided for each workpiece carrier, with guides parallel to each of the X and Y lines. Using a transfer device, the carrier is associated with either guide. The transport unit has a transporter for the carrier. During movement of the carrier along its path, it is loaded. After loading, the workpiece moves along the path with the carrier. Additionally or alternatively the carrier, by its movement along the path, is unloaded from the transporter. The track for the carrier is provided over the extent of at least one guide section on the transporter. A guide section of the transport track, which is provided on the transporter, is of identical construction with a part of the remaining track. The transport track for the workpiece carrier is formed in part by a guide for the transporter. The guide section on the transporter and the guide for the transporter are mutually offset in the vertical direction. The workpiece carrier is optionally assigned to the X or Y guide of the transport track during loading or unloading. The carrier and transporter have bearings, by means of which either or both is moved on the X or Y guides of the transport track. The workpiece carrier and/or the transporter have the X bearing associated with the X guidance and the Y bearing allocated with Y guidance. Further details of the arrangement are elaborated, in accordance with the foregoing principles. Salient feature include devices in the transfer unit, which are used to swing and lift between guidance of differing heights and orientations. Motorized- and chain drive systems are included. Pneumatic or hydraulic drives may be used.

Description

  The present invention is a mechanical assembly used for metal sheet processing, provided with a metal sheet processing apparatus and a conveying device for positioning the metal sheet workpiece relative to the metal sheet processing apparatus, The conveyance device has at least one workpiece support for supporting one sheet metal workpiece, so that the sheet metal workpiece is connected to the first conveyance line X and the first conveyance. And a second support line Y arranged at right angles to the line X is movable in the horizontal direction, the workpiece support is movable along the transfer path, and the transfer path is 1 and 2 along the transfer path. A transfer track is provided for the workpiece support along the transfer path, and the transfer track is connected to the transfer line X. On the contrary And arranged guides (X guides) to relate of the type having a parallel-arranged guide (Y guide) to the conveying line Y.

  With respect to the sheet metal processing apparatus under the horizontal movement of the sheet metal workpiece along the first transfer line X and the second transfer line Y arranged perpendicular to the first transfer line X The conveying device for positioning the sheet metal workpiece is, for example, an automated supply of the sheet metal workpiece to the work area of the sheet metal processing apparatus or an automation of the sheet metal workpiece from the work area of the sheet metal processing apparatus. Used for derivation. As the metal sheet processing apparatus, a laser cutting apparatus for laser cutting a material metal sheet board or a punching apparatus for punching a molded member from a material metal sheet board is particularly considered.

  The conveying device starts the raw metal sheet board to be processed from the loading position and supplies it to the working area of the thin metal sheet processing apparatus, positions the raw metal sheet board at the working position inside the working area according to the technical setting amount, In the unloading process, a metal sheet processing product, that is, a finished member and / or a processing residue is led out from a working area of the sheet metal processing apparatus to an unloading position. In this case, the conveying device conveys the horizontally supported thin metal plate workpiece substantially linearly along the horizontal conveying line. As a result, the mechanical assembly used for sheet metal processing, especially for large material sheet metal boards, requires a significant amount of space, especially at the loading and unloading positions of the sheet metal workpieces located outside the work area. To do.

  In known mechanical assemblies with a space-saving transfer concept, sheet metal workpieces are placed on a transfer pallet and fed to the work area of the sheet metal processing equipment along a predetermined transfer line. After the processing, it is led out along the same conveyance line in the reverse direction. The loading position of the unprocessed sheet metal workpiece and the unloading position of one or more processed products are, in this case, overlapped on the same side of the sheet metal processing apparatus. In this case, the height-adjustable pallet exchanging device has one accommodating portion (loading position) for each pallet with a thin metal sheet to be processed or one for each pallet with one or more processed products. Sections (unloading positions) are provided alternately. The transport path used in alternate directions allows only one sequential exchange of pallets from or to the working area of the processing apparatus. This requires significant exchange time. This exchange time is regarded as disadvantageous as a large dead time component in the processing apparatus. Furthermore, the problem is that in the course of logistics, unprocessed raw sheet metal can be overcome by processed products. This can cause contamination of the sheet metal sheet which adversely affects the subsequent processing steps.

  A laser cutting assembly is known from US Pat. No. 6,140,606. This known laser cutting assembly includes a laser cutting head. The working area of this laser cutting head is accessible in three different directions for loading and unloading. The two approach directions are directed to the Y axis. Another approach direction extends in the X axis, offset by 90 °. The X axis extends parallel to the gantry that guides the laser cutting head. The sheet metal workpiece is transferred to and from the work area by a work table that is movable along the Y axis. Furthermore, another external conveying means not described in detail is provided. By this conveying means, the thin metal plate workpiece is supplied along the X axis to the working area of the laser cutting head or derived from the working area.

  Corresponding facts are disclosed in EP 1683601. A loading unit in the form of a sheet metal feeding and clamping device in this case transports the sheet metal in the feed direction to the working area of the laser cutting head. A take-out device named as an unloading fork accommodates the processed product and delivers this processed product in a take-out direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the loading unit.

An assembly of the type mentioned at the outset is described in US 2003/0179430. This publication discloses a laser processing apparatus and a cross table for supporting and positioning a workpiece. In a conventional manner, the cross table has two units arranged one above the other. Both units are guided so as to be movable in an axial direction perpendicular to each other.
US Pat. No. 6,140,606 European Patent Application No. 1683601 US 2003/0179430

  Starting from the known prior art of the type mentioned at the outset, the object of the present invention is to improve the mechanical assembly used for sheet metal working, with improved work piece logistics with little technical effort. To make it possible.

  In order to solve this problem, in the configuration of the present invention, at least one other X guide and at least one other Y guide are provided, so that at least two X guides and at least two Y guides exist. The guide is arranged so that the workpiece support can be circulated along the X guide and the Y guide, and is connected to each other by the conveying means. The workpiece support is selected by the conveying means. It was possible to arrange corresponding to X guide or Y guide.

  According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, the conveying device comprises a conveying device for the workpiece support, and the workpiece is supported by the conveying device under the movement of the workpiece supporting member along the conveying path. The body is loadable, the transporter is movable along the transport path with the workpiece support after loading, and / or the workpiece support is mounted on the workpiece support along the transport path. In motion, the workpiece support can be unloaded from the loaded carrier.

  According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, a transport track for the workpiece support is provided in the region of at least one guide section provided in the transporter.

  According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, one guide section of the transport track provided on the transport device has the same structure as the rest of the transport track.

  According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, the transport track for the workpiece support is partly formed by a guide for the transporter.

  According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, the guide section provided in the transporter and the guide for the transporter are offset from each other in the vertical direction.

  According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, the workpiece support can be selectively loaded by allowing the workpiece support to be loaded into the transporter or the transporter being unloadable from the workpiece support. It can be arranged corresponding to one X guide or one Y guide of the transport track.

  According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, the workpiece support and / or transporter has bearing means, by means of which the workpiece support and / or transporter has one of the transport tracks. It can move relative to the X guide or one of the Y guides.

  According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, the workpiece support and / or transporter has X bearing means arranged corresponding to one X guide and Y bearing means arranged corresponding to one Y guide. doing.

  According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, rollers are provided as support means.

  According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, the X guide and the Y guide each have one rail or a pair of rails.

  According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, the rollers for supporting the workpiece support and / or the transporter on the X guide or the Y guide form a pair of rollers aligned in the transport direction.

  According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, the conveying means comprises an elevating device, by which the height of one X guide and one Y guide can be adjusted relative to each other.

  According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, the transport means comprises a swiveling device, by which the one X guide and the one Y guide can swivel relative to each other.

  According to an advantageous configuration of the present invention, the X guide and the Y guide are arranged at different heights, and the guide segment of the X guide or the guide segment of the Y guide is provided by a lifting device provided as a conveying means. The height can be adjusted.

  According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, the guide segment of the X guide or the guide segment of the Y guide can be turned by means of a turning device provided as conveying means.

  According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, a drive device for the workpiece support is provided, the drive device being one drive means arranged corresponding to one X guide and / or one Y guide, Each preferably has one chain drive.

  According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, the transporter has a motor drive.

  According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, one or more conveying means can be driven selectively and advantageously electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically.

  According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, a plurality of sheet metal working devices and / or handling components are arranged along the transport line.

  According to the first aspect, a conveying device for positioning the thin metal plate workpiece with respect to the thin metal plate processing apparatus is provided. The conveying device has at least one workpiece support for supporting at least one sheet metal workpiece. The workpiece support is movable along the transport path. This conveyance path extends along the first conveyance line X and the second conveyance line Y.

  In some of the known transfer apparatuses, different transfer means are required for transferring the thin metal plate workpieces along different transfer lines. The change in direction of movement of the sheet metal workpiece is effected by the delivery of the sheet metal workpiece itself from one transport means to another transport means. This gives rise to the large overall construction of the known mechanical assembly which is very laborious. Furthermore, the delivery of sheet metal workpieces from one conveying means to another is associated with inaccuracies in the positioning of the sheet metal workpieces. This inaccuracy can adversely affect workpiece processing and workpiece transfer.

  According to claim 1, the workpiece support supports the sheet metal workpiece during the entire material flow along the conveying lines extending at right angles to each other.

  It is excluded that the conveyance paths of the unprocessed sheet metal workpiece and the processed sheet metal workpiece overlap each other. In particular, an exact corresponding arrangement of the sheet metal workpiece with respect to the sheet metal processing apparatus is guaranteed. The technical effort for the additional surrounding of the sheet metal workpiece itself and the risk of failure associated with the replacement of the workpiece from one conveying means to another are avoided.

  A transport track is provided along the transport path for the workpiece support. This transport track has at least two guides (X guide) arranged parallel to the transport line X and at least two guides (Y guide) arranged parallel to the transport line Y. Yes. In this case, the workpiece support can be moved between the X guide and the Y guide by the conveying means. The workpiece supports guided in this way always have a precisely defined position in space, even in the case of transport lines extending perpendicular to each other. Therefore, the spatial arrangement of the thin metal plate workpiece defined and mounted on the workpiece support to each point on the transport path is also uniquely defined and can be reproduced. The resulting high positioning accuracy of the sheet metal workpiece at each point in the transport path allows for a reliable connection of another device to the workpiece logistics, for example, additional sheet metal processing equipment and handling components. It becomes possible. A corresponding matter is claimed in claim 20 and described in detail below.

  The at least two X guides and the at least two Y guides are arranged so that the workpiece support can be circulated along the X guide and the Y guide. They are connected to each other so as to be able to circulate along the X guide and the Y guide.

  With this arrangement according to the invention, a closed transport track is formed. Along this transport path, one or more workpiece supports can be moved in one circulation path and in this case can be positioned at different stations.

  The workpiece support can be stepped through different process stations. These process stations are arranged along the transfer lines X and Y, and in this case, they are guided again by a short route. For example, in a circulation path, starting from a work station where the sheet metal located on the workpiece support is processed, an unloading station where one or more processed products are removed from the workpiece support; The loading station on which the sheet metal sheet is again mounted on the body may be continuous before the loaded workpiece support is newly moved into the work station along the circulating transport path. In the sequential use of a plurality of workpiece supports, this station can be used immediately by subsequent workpiece supports after running one workpiece support from one station. Therefore, the progress can be realized without significant dead time. As a result, material flow is accelerated. This acceleration also results in high use efficiency of the mechanical assembly processing equipment. In the circulating conveying path, by extension or branching of the guide, another sheet metal processing device, for example a laser marking device, as well as another handling component, for example a sorting device, a labeling device or a workpiece support, in particular a workpiece support, Maintenance and management devices for inspection and cleaning may be combined in variable arrangement cases. The modular construction of the entire assembly allows for flexible adaptation to user specific installation conditions and individual process courses.

  The material flow according to the invention shows the possibility of providing a space-saving solution for mechanical sheet metal processing with little technical effort.

  In the case where a plurality of workpiece supports are provided along the transport path, work components, for example, processing of sheet metal workpieces in the work area of a sheet metal processing apparatus and handling components outside the work area The loading and unloading of the metal sheet workpiece by the can be paralleled. Therefore, the down time of the sheet metal processing apparatus and the entire period of the loading / unloading process can be reduced.

  According to claim 2, in an improved form of the invention, the assembly transport device according to the invention comprises a transporter for the workpiece support. The workpiece support can be loaded onto the transporter under the movement of the workpiece support along the transport path. In addition, the transporter can move along the transport path together with the workpiece support after loading. Additionally or alternatively, the workpiece support may be unloaded from the transporter along its transport path. According to the structure of the present invention, a flexible structure of the conveyance path of the workpiece support on which the metal thin plate member is loaded can be easily and particularly with little effort. In this case, again, the material flow is ensured while maintaining high accuracy in workpiece positioning. The direction of movement of one workpiece support can be changed without having to replace the sheet metal workpiece supported on the workpiece support. In particular, when the workpiece support is loaded onto the transfer device, there is a possibility that the transfer device loaded with the workpiece support moves in the direction of the other transfer line. In this case, the transporter forms a coupling member between the first transport line and the second transport line, and in this case, ensures a material flow with high guide accuracy.

  If the transport path of the workpiece support is provided in the range of at least one guide section provided in the transporter (see claim 3), the transporter interrupts the uniform movement of the workpiece support. Without, the workpiece support can be loaded and the transporter can be unloaded from the workpiece support. Of course, in this case, the guide section of the transport track, provided on the transport device, must be positioned according to the purpose relative to the remaining transport track.

  According to claim 4, the uniform loading movement and / or unloading movement of the workpiece support, in particular accurately guided, can be carried out by means of the guide section provided on the transfer device of the transfer track relative to the workpiece support. This is possible when the structure is the same as the guide section of the remaining transport track following the guide section.

  According to the invention, one guide for the transport can form part of the guide track for the workpiece support.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in another configuration of the present invention, the guide section provided in the transporter with respect to the workpiece support and the guide for the transporter are shifted from each other in the vertical direction. For example, the guide section for the workpiece support may be arranged at the height of the work plane defined in the work area of the sheet metal processing apparatus, whereas the guide for the transporter is installed in the sheet metal processing apparatus. Located at the level of the surface. In a corresponding configuration, the transporter can get over an object placed near the floor. This makes it possible to store, for example, the raw metal thin plate stack along the X guide or the Y guide in a space-saving manner. This is linked to the logistics advantage as long as a significantly shorter loading / unloading path is obtained for the sheet metal of the sheet metal stack. When the transporter supports the workpiece support to be transported on the impermeable surface, the falling of filth from the workpiece support onto the object that can be overcome by the transporter is avoided.

  In the case of the inventive structure according to claim 7, the workpiece support can be selectively transferred by the workpiece being able to be loaded into the carrier or being unloadable from the workpiece support. It can be arranged corresponding to one X guide or one Y guide of the track.

  Advantageously, according to claim 8, the workpiece support and / or the transporter have bearing means. This support means allows the workpiece support and / or transporter to move relative to one X guide or one Y guide of the transport track. In this case, rollers are preferably used as the support means (see claim 10). This roller serves for particularly low friction and easy movement of the workpiece support and the transporter. This minimizes the required force for movement of the workpiece support and transport along the transport track.

  For an uncomplicated functional reliable movement of the workpiece support or of the transporter in different directions, according to claim 9, the workpiece support and / or transporter corresponds to one X guide X support means arranged, and Y support means arranged corresponding to one Y guide. In this case, both the support means are arranged and oriented so that the support means provided for the respective movement directions are effective only when traveling along the X guide or the Y guide.

  Advantageously, according to claim 11, the X guide and the Y guide each have one rail or a pair of rails. One rail or advantageously a pair of rails with rails arranged parallel to each other ensures an accurate guide of the workpiece support and at the same time a large load when guiding the workpiece support Can be absorbed.

  According to the twelfth aspect, when the rollers form a pair of rollers arranged in parallel in the transport direction, the transition portion between the X guide and the Y guide can be easily overcome.

  In an advantageous configuration of the invention as claimed in claim 13, the conveying means comprises a lifting device. With this lifting device, the height of one X guide and one Y guide can be adjusted relative to each other. Based on the upward movement of the second guide relative to the guide supporting one workpiece support, the workpiece support can be raised from the guide supporting the workpiece support and received by the second guide Can do. Thereafter, in this second guide, the workpiece support can be moved along the transport line set by the second guide.

  According to another configuration of the present invention, according to claim 14, the conveying means has a turning device. By this turning device, one X guide and one Y guide can turn relative to each other. In this case, similar to the lifting device described above, the second guide is pivoted relative to the guide in which one workpiece support is first guided, so that the workpiece support is supported by this workpiece support. Separated from the guide supporting the body and received by the second guide. Thereafter, the workpiece support can be continuously moved along the second guide that sets the second transport line. Advantageously, the swivel drive can be arranged outside the working area of the sheet metal working apparatus and thus protected against harmful effects due to the sheet metal working process.

  In an advantageous refinement of the invention as defined in claim 15, the X guide and the Y guide are arranged at different heights. In this case, the height of the guide segment of the X guide or the guide segment of the Y guide can be adjusted by the lifting device provided as the conveying means. Based on the segmentation, the load to be raised and hence the lifting force to be applied by the lifting device are reduced. This has an advantageous effect on the configuration of the lifting device.

  As an alternative, the guide segment of the X guide or the guide segment of the Y guide may be pivoted by a pivoting device. This reduces the required turning force for complete X or Y guide turning (see claim 16).

  Advantageously, according to claim 17, a drive for the workpiece support is provided. This drive device has one drive means, preferably one chain drive, arranged corresponding to one X guide and / or one Y guide. The individual driving device enables selective conveyance operation along different guides or guide sections. In this case, the conveyance by the chain drive realizes a particularly high functional reliability during the conveyance of the workpiece support.

  According to claim 18, the transporter has a motor driving device. With this motor drive device, it is possible to control the movement of the transporter along the section of the transport path arranged corresponding to the transporter and to accurately match the positioning requirements.

  For precisely controllable drive of one or more conveying means, a selectively operable, preferably electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic drive is provided. (See claim 19).

  In the following, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a mechanical assembly comprising a sheet metal processing apparatus in the form of a laser cutting machine 1 and a conveying device 2 for supplying the sheet metal to the laser cutting machine 1. In this case, the transfer device 2 has a transfer track 3 that is circulated by a rail guide. Of the laser cutting machines 1 shown only schematically, a machine frame 4 with a rectangular contour is evident. The machine frame 4 has an opening 5 on each of two surfaces for allowing the conveyance track 3 to pass therethrough. A work area 6 of the laser cutting machine 1 is formed inside the machine frame 4. In this working area 6, one or more laser cutting heads for laser cutting a sheet metal workpiece applied as sheet metal board 7 'are movably arranged.

  The first workpiece support and the second workpiece support can travel along the transfer track 3 that defines the transfer path of the transfer device 2. Both workpiece supports are formed as rectangular transport pallets 8 ', 8 "with a flat workpiece support surface. A metal thin plate board 7 'to be processed is disposed on the transport pallet 8'. The transport pallet 8 "supports the processed thin metal plate board 7". The conveying pallets 8 ′, 8 ″ provided with the thin metal plate boards 7 ′, 7 ″ are only schematically illustrated by one rectangle respectively.

  The transport track 3 is composed of four linear rail pairs 9 ', 9 ", 10', 10". These rail pairs 9 ', 9 ", 10', 10" follow one another in a rectangular shape. The rail pair 9 ′, 9 ″ extends parallel to the transport line X, and accordingly, two X guides are formed. The rail pairs 10 ′ and 10 ″ extend as a Y guide in parallel to the transport line Y. In this embodiment, the conveyance line X extends in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the laser cutting machine 1. The conveyance line Y extends in parallel to the horizontal axis of the laser cutting machine 1.

  The conveyance line X and the conveyance line Y form an angle of 90 ° with each other. The same applies to the X guide rail pair 9 ', 9 "and the Y guide rail pair 10', 10". In this case, the X guide rail pair 9 ′, 9 ″ and the Y guide rail pair 10 ′, 10 ″ have different height levels. In this case, the rail pair 9 ′, 9 ″ is arranged slightly lower than the rail pair 10 ′, 10 ″.

  One transfer means is provided in the region of the transition part from the rail pair 9 ', 9 "to the rail pair 10', 10". Thereby, the conveyance pallets 8 ′ and 8 ″ are conveyed between the rail pair 9 ′ and 9 ″ and the rail pair 10 ′ and 10 ″, thereby the conveyance pallets 8 ′ and 8 ′. 'Can get over the crossing region of the rail pairs 9', 9 ", 10 ', 10". The conveying means is formed as lifting devices 11, 12, 13, 14. Each lifting device 11, 12, 13, 14 has four adjustable rail segments 15 ′ to 15 ″ ″, 16 ′ to 16 ″ ″, 17 ′ to 17 ″ ″, 18 ′. ˜18 ″ ″. These rail segments 15'-15 "", 16'-16 "", 17'-17 "", 18'-18 "" are incorporated into the rail pair 10 ', 10 ". It is.

  The functional form of the lifting devices 11, 14 is apparent from FIG.

  Elevating devices 11, 14 (shown schematically only by directional arrows) raise or lower rail segments 15'-15 "" or rail segments 18'-18 "". The X guide rail pair 9 ', 9' 'extends perpendicular to the drawing plane. Both conveying pallets 8 ′ and 8 ″ are located in the intersection region of the rail pair 9 ′, 10 ′ or the rail pair 9 ″, 10 ′ that can be seen in FIG. 2. Each conveyance pallet 8 ', 8' 'has a roller pair (X roller 19) arranged corresponding to the X guide and a roller pair (Y roller 20) arranged corresponding to the Y guide. The transport pallets 8 ′ and 8 ″ can travel with respect to the X guide rail pair 9 ′ and 9 ″ and the Y guide rail pair 10 ′ and 10 ″.

  For the lateral travel of the transport pallet 8 ″ along the Y guide rail pair 10 ′ shown in FIG. 2 in the transport direction 21, the four rail segments 18 ′ to 18 ″ ″ move up and down simultaneously. The device 14 is raised to the level of the rail pair 10 '. As a result, the X roller 19 of the transport pallet 8 ″ is raised from the rail of the X guide rail pair 9 ″, whereby only the Y roller 20 is supported by the Y guide rail pair 10 ′. When the transport pallet 8 ″ travels in the lateral direction on the higher-supported rail pair 10 ′ of the Y guide, the roller pair 20 causes the deeper rails of the X guide rail pair 9 ′, 9 ″ to be located. I can get over.

  For the longitudinal travel of the transport pallet 8 'along the rail pair 9' (in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 2), the four rail segments 15'-15 "" Is lowered. As a result, the X roller 19 of the transport pallet 8 ′ is brought into contact with the rail pair 9 ′. In this case, the Y roller 20 is simultaneously released from the rail segments 15 ′ to 15 ′ ″ ″. When the conveyance pallet 8 ′ travels in the longitudinal direction on the X guide rail pair 9 ′, the rail pallet 10 ′ passes through the rail pair 10 ′ without collision by the lowered rail segments 15 ′ to 15 ″ ″. It becomes possible to be able to.

  In this way, the two pallets 8 'and 8' 'are moved in a single circulation path by the interaction of the lifting devices 11, 12, 13, and 14 in the clockwise direction along the circulated conveyance track 3 (schematically indicated by the arrow 21 in FIG. 1). You can travel with Further, the transport pallets 8 ′ and 8 ″ can run out of the circulation path in the arrow direction 23 along the branching portion 22 schematically shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the X guide rail pair 9 ′. In the opposite direction, another transport pallet (not shown) can enter the circulation path. Of course, the circulation path of the transport pallets 8 ′, 8 ″ may be directed in the counterclockwise direction.

  The transport pallets 8 ′ and 8 ″ are driven by a chain drive (not shown). In this case, the entraining elements of the conveying chain driven by the motor engage with the entraining bodies of the conveying pallets 8 ′, 8 ″. In this case, each rail pair 9 ′, 9 ″ and each rail pair 10 ′, 10 ″ are respectively associated with one unique chain drive provided with one transport chain.

  A process station 24 is provided in each crossing region of the X guide and the Y guide. In this process station 24, the transport pallets 8 ', 8' 'remain for carrying out the prescribed work process. One intersection area is located in the work area 6 of the laser cutting machine 1. There is formed a cutting station 25 for laser cutting the metal thin board. Another process station 24 is provided outside the machine casing 4 of the laser cutting machine 1. For example, the process station 24 automatically unloads the transfer pallets 8 ′ and 8 ″, automatically loads the raw metal thin plate boards 7 ′ and 7 ″ onto the transfer pallets 8 ′ and 8 ″, and the transfer pallet. Specified for 8 ', 8' 'temporary rest.

  In the unloading station 26, for example, a thin metal plate member cut in advance can be selectively unloaded by an external sorting device (not shown). In this case, the remaining lattice bodies of the processed thin metal plate boards 7 ′ and 7 ″ are left on the workpiece support. In addition or alternatively, a laser marking device (not shown) may be arranged at the aforementioned intermediate station. This laser marking device automatically marks a cut sheet metal member first before the sheet metal member is taken out from the remaining lattice member.

  The functional process of the mechanical assembly shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is as follows.

  In FIG. 1, the transport pallet 8 ′ is located at the cutting station 25. The thin metal board 7 'is processed. A second transport pallet 8 ″ is arranged in a process station used as a loading station 28. The thin metal plate 7 ″ is loaded on the second transport pallet 8 ″ simultaneously with the cutting process of the thin metal plate 7 ′. Loading onto the transport pallet 8 ″ may be performed by a sucker frame of an automatic loading device (not shown), for example.

  After processing the sheet metal board 7 ′ at the cutting station 25, the transport pallet 8 ′ is moved to the unloading station 26 by one longitudinal travel in the arrow direction 21. For this purpose, first, the four rail segments 15 ′ to 15 ″ ″ are lowered together with the transport pallet 8 ′ by the elevating device 11, whereby the X roller 19 of the transport pallet 8 ′ is moved to the X guide. It will be located in rail pair 9 ', and Y roller 20 will be released from rail pair 10' (refer to Drawing 2). At the same time or immediately following, the rail segments 16 ′ to 16 ′ ″ ″ provided at the unloading station 26 are also lowered by the lifting device 12. For transporting the transport pallet 8 'in the longitudinal direction, the transport element of the transport chain operated by the rail pair 9' engages with a transport body provided on the transport pallet 8 '.

  As soon as the transport pallet 8 ′ advances from the cutting station 25, the rail segments 15 ′ to 15 ″ ″ are raised again to the height level of the Y guide rail pair 10 ′, which As the rail segments 18 'to 18' '' 'rise, one can run from the loading station 28 into the cutting station 25 along the Y guide. In this case, the Y roller 20 of the transport pallet 8 ″ is moved over one rail of each of the rail pairs 9 ″, 9 ′. The transport pallet 8 ″ is driven via an entrainment element that engages an entrainment element of the transport pallet 8 ″ of a transport chain that operates along the rail pair 10 ′.

  In short, the situation shown in FIG. 3 is obtained. Whereas the transport pallet 8 ′ is located at the unloading station 26, the transport pallet 8 ″ provided with the thin metal plate 7 ″ is a cutting station 25 provided in the work area 6 of the laser cutting machine 1. Is arranged.

  In the unloading station 26, the finished member cut in advance is automatically taken out from the remaining lattice of the thin metal plate board, and is automatically marked according to circumstances.

  The continuous travel of the transport pallets 8 'and 8' 'is performed in a manner similar to the above-described process. For the lateral travel of the transport pallet 8 ′ along the Y guide rail pair 10 ″ to the process station 24 used as another unloading station 27, first the rail segments 16 ′ to 16 ′ ″. 'And the conveying pallet 8' are raised to the height level of the Y guide rail pair 10 ", thereby releasing the X roller 19 of the conveying pallet 8 'from the X guide rail pair 9'. 8 ′ can travel along the rail pair 10 ″ (see FIG. 4). In this case, the transport pallet 8 ′ travels over one rail of the rail pair 9 ′ and 9 ″ by the Y roller 20. Before reaching the unloading station 27, the rail segments 17 'to 17 "'" are raised by the associated lifting device 13 (see FIG. 4). In order to transport the transport pallet 8 ′, a transport chain entrainment element operated along the rail pair 10 ″ engages a transport body provided on the transport pallet 8 ′.

  When the transport pallet 8 ′ advances from the unloading station 26, the rail elements 16 ′ to 16 ′ ″ ″ are lowered again. This now allows one longitudinal travel of the subsequent transport pallet 8 ″ to the unloading station 26. Meanwhile, the remaining lattice of the thin metal plate board 7 ′ is removed from the transfer pallet 8 ′ that has arrived at the unloading station 27 by an unloading rake of an automated unloading device.

  The subsequent one longitudinal run along the rail pair 9 ″ causes the transport pallet 8 ′ to reach the loading station 28 when the rail segments 17 ′ to 17 ′ ″, 18 ′ to 18 ′ ″ are lowered. Therefore, an unprocessed metal sheet board is newly loaded onto the transport pallet 8 '.

  By providing the unloading station 27 and the loading station 28 in the immediate vicinity along the transport track 3, a direct and space-saving coupling of the illustrated mechanical assembly to the workpiece support is possible. Become. The overall assembly performance, in particular the efficiency of use of the laser cutting machine 1, is further improved when the four process stations 24 are sequentially run along the transport track 3 by different transport pallets (not shown).

  The mechanical assembly transport device 2 shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 has a transport track 3 for a transport pallet 8 ′, 8 ″ similar to FIGS. 1 to 4 that circulates along the transport path. Yes. The same reference characterizes the same member.

  The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 is different from the above-described embodiment in the configuration of the conveying means. Instead of the four lifting devices 11, 12, 13, 14, two swiveling devices 29, 30 are provided as conveying means. Both swiveling devices 29, 30 can swivel one complete rail pair 10 ', 10 "of the Y guide, respectively. By means of one swivel device 29, 30 respectively, it is possible to realize the transport of the transport pallets 8 ', 8 "in the two intersecting regions of the rail pairs 9', 9", 10 ', 10 ".

  In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 showing one side view of one rail of the rail pair 10 ′, the functional types of the turning devices 29 and 30 are clearly shown. Again, the rail pairs 9 ', 9' 'extend perpendicular to the drawing plane.

  The swivel device 29 has a swivel angle α (see FIG. 6) slightly below the horizontal level 32 of the fixed rail pair 9 ′, 9 ″ around the swivel axis 31 and the fixed rail pair 9. Turn at a turning angle β (see FIG. 7) slightly above the horizontal level of ', 9' '. By turning the rail pair 10 ′, the transport pallets 8 ′ and 8 ″ positioned on the rail pair 10 ′ are simultaneously lifted and lowered with respect to the rail pair 9 ′ and 9 ″. You can get over the intersection of '' and the rail pair 10 '. The turning shaft 31 and the drive devices for the turning devices 29 and 30 are protected and located outside the process station 24, particularly outside the work area 6 of the cutting station 25 of the laser cutting machine 1.

  The functional process of the assembly shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 is as follows.

  In FIG. 6, the transport pallets 8 ′ and 8 ″ correspond to the rail pallet 9 ′ and 9 ″ and the rail pair 10 ′ corresponding to the arrangement example of the transport pallets 8 ′ and 8 ″ shown in FIG. Located in the intersection area. In this case, both conveying pallets 8 ′ and 8 ″ are supported by the X roller 19 on the rail pairs 9 ′ and 9 ″, respectively. The swivel device 29 lowers the rail pair 10 'at a swivel angle α that is about 5 ° below the height level of the fixed rail pair 9', 9 ''. In this position of the rail pair 10 ', first, the longitudinal travel of the transport pallet 8' along the rail pair 9 'can be performed without collision.

  As soon as the transport pallet 8 'is run out of the intersection area, the rail pair 10' is swiveled by the swivel device 29 at a swivel angle β above the height level 32 of the fixed rail pair 9 ', 9' '(FIG. 7). reference). In order to raise the X roller 19 of the transport pallet 8 ″ from the rail of the rail pair 9 ″, a turning angle β of about 5 ° is sufficient, thereby bringing the transport pallet 8 ″ into the rail pair 10 ′. One lateral run along can be run across the rail pair 9 ', 9' 'without collision.

  Thus, first, the transport pallet 8 ′ located at the cutting station 25 can travel to the subsequent unloading station 26 in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the rail pair 10 ″ is lowered to the position below the rail pair 9 ′, 9 ″ by the second turning device 30 (turning angle α). The lateral travel of the transport pallet 8 ″ from the loading station 28 to the cutting station 25 during which the rail pair is raised again with a swivel angle β above the horizontal height level 32 of the rail pair 9 ′, 9 ″. 10 '(see FIG. 7).

  FIG. 8 shows the transport device 2 shown in FIG. 5 with the advanced arrangement of the transport pallets 8 ′, 8 ″. While the transport pallet 8 ′ is located at the unloading station 26, the transport pallet 8 ″ is now disposed at the cutting station 25 provided in the work area 6 of the laser cutting machine 1.

  Similar to the above-described process, the continuous continuous travel of the transport pallets 8 ′ and 8 ″ to the loading station 28 following the unloading station 27 is a swiveling device that alternately raises and lowers the rail pairs 10 ′ and 10 ″. 29, 30 is used.

  The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 relates to the conveying device 2 of the laser cutting machine 1. The transport device 2 combines a transport track 3 similar to the above-described embodiment, which extends along the transport path, with a transport device formed as a transport carriage 35. Of the laser cutting machine 1, only the work area 6 in the cutting station 25 is indicated by broken lines in this drawing. The same reference numbers again characterize the same elements.

  The transport track 3 has two X guides and two Y guides for the transport pallets 8 ′, 8 ″, not shown individually, in a conventional manner. The X guide portion 33 is formed by a pair of rails 9 ', 9' '. As another part of the X guide, a guide section 40 provided in the transport carriage 35 functions. The guide section 40 is formed as a rail pair 41. The rail pair 41 is assembled on the upper surface of the table 38 of the transport carriage 35. The rail pair 41 has the same structure as the rail pair 9 ', 9' '.

  A rail pair 10 ′ and a rail pair 36 are provided as Y guides for the transport track 3 shown in FIG. 9. The rail pair 10 'can pivot relative to the rail pair 9', 9 "in the manner described above to transport the transport pallets 8 ', 8". The rail pair 41 is arranged on the upper surface of the transport carriage 35 at the same height as the rail pair 9 ', 9' ', whereas the rail pair 36 is at a lower level, preferably the installation of the laser cutting machine 1 It is assembled directly on the surface. At the base portion 39, the transport carriage 35 is stationary on the rail pair 36. As a supporting means, a motor-driven roller provided on the base portion 39 of the transport carriage 35 works. In this way, the rail pair 36 serves as a guide for the transport carriage 35 along one Y transport line of the transport pallets 8 ′, 8 ″.

  When the transport carriage 35 is in the position shown in FIG. 9, the rail pair 41 provided on the table 38 of the transport carriage 35 is the rail pair 9 ′ provided on the cutting station 25 of the laser cutting machine 1. Is consistent. As a result, the transport pallet 8 ′; 8 ″ can be transferred from the cutting station 25 to the transport carriage 35 along the upper X guide as viewed in FIG. 9 by traveling in the longitudinal direction. Correspondingly, it is also possible to transport the transport pallets 8 ′; 8 ″ arranged on the transport carriage 35 to the cutting station 25. In order to move the transport pallets 8 ′, 8 ″, one chain drive arranged along the upper X guide works. With this chain drive, the transport pallets 8 ′ and 8 ″ can be loaded onto the transport carriage 35, or the transport pallets 8 ′ and 8 ″ can be unloaded from the transport carriage 35.

  The transport carriage 35 is driven by a motor and can travel along the Y guide on the right side as viewed in FIG. The traveling motion may be performed as an empty traveling. Alternatively, the transport pallets 8 ′ and 8 ″ may be loaded on the transport carriage 35, and the transport carriage 35 can piggyback the transport pallets 8 ′ and 8 ″.

  Underneath the table 38 is provided a vacant chamber for storing logistic purpose, for example a raw sheet metal stack 42, which is created between the base parts 39. When the raw metal thin plate stack 42 is arranged in the area of the unloading station 27, the raw metal thin plate is always obtained when the transport carriage 35 is located at the position (unloading station 26) shown in FIG. The stack 42 is freely accessible to the supply / removal components. During the movement of the transport carriage 35 to the unloading station 27, the raw metal thin plate stack 42 is overcome by the transport carriage 35 without collision. Since the table 38 of the transport carriage 35 forms an impermeable table surface, dirt, such as dross or other cutting waste, located on the upper surface of the transport carriage 35 is moved over the material sheet metal stack 42 by this material. Reaching the sheet metal stack 42 has been eliminated.

  Specifically, the function process in the mechanical assembly shown in FIG. 9 is as follows.

  The transport apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 1 also realizes the circulation operation of the transport pallets 8 ′ and 8 ″. When one transport pallet 8 ′ is positioned at the cutting station 25 of the laser cutting machine 1, the rail pair 10 ′ is lowered by the turning device 29 after the workpiece processing is completed. As a result, the transport pallet 8 ′ including the cut metal thin plate 7 ′ can travel along the rail pair 9 ′, and in this case, can pass through the rail pair 10 ′ without collision. When the transport pallet 8 ′ starts running from the work area 6 of the cutting station 25, the transport pallet 8 ′ is pushed up to the guide section 40 of the transport carriage 35 located at the unloading station 26 according to FIG. .

  Then, in the unloading station 26, the cut finished member is taken out from the remaining lattice of the thin metal plate board 7 'in the manner described above. Then, by one side travel, the transport carriage 35 brings the transport pallet 8 ′, which is supported by the transport carriage 35 and includes the remaining lattice of the thin metal plate board 7 ′, to the unloading station 27. During this lateral travel, the transport carriage 35 is moved along the rail pair 36. In the unloading station 27, the transport carriage 35 including the transport pallet 8 ′ and the remaining lattice of the metal thin board 7 ′ is positioned immediately above the raw metal thin plate stack 42. Now, the remaining lattice of the metal thin plate board 7 'is removed from the transport pallet 8' in the above-described manner.

  When the transport carriage 35 is located at the unloading station 27, the rail pair 41 is aligned with the rail pair 9 '' on its upper surface. As a result, the transport pallet 8 ′ can be unloaded from the transport carriage 35 in one longitudinal direction by the chain drive, and in this case, can be pulled into the loading station 28. In this case, the rail pair 10 ′ is lowered by the turning device 29.

  When the transport pallet 8 ′ has advanced from the transport carriage 35, the transport carriage 35 is guided back to the unloading station 26 in idle running, whereby there may be a transport pallet 8 ″ that continues from the cutting station 25 in some cases. Can be accommodated. Meanwhile, the material metal thin plate is loaded onto the transport pallet 8 ′ at the loading station 28. This raw metal thin plate is supplied from the raw metal thin plate stack 42 to the transport pallet 8 '. This sheet metal stack 42 is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the loading station 28.

  Finally, the transport pallet 8 ′ loaded with the thin metal sheet is moved from the loading station 28 to the cutting station 25 in one lateral direction. In this case, the rail pair 10 ′ is raised with respect to the rail pair 9 ′, 9 ″ by the turning device 29.

  In the manner described above, the transport pallets 8 ′, 8 ″ are circulated through the individual process stations 24.

  All described embodiments relate to an assembly comprising four process stations 24 and two circulating transport pallets 8 ', 8' '. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples. Rather, different numbers and combinations of process stations 24 are possible. The number of circulating pallets to be circulated can also be selected individually and is limited only by the number of process stations 24 that can be used.

  In the case of the embodiment described, the conveying lines X, Y have a straight line and a course perpendicular to each other. However, the present invention moves the transport pallets 8 ', 8' 'along the curved transport lines X, Y and / or moves the transport lines X, Y to each other at an angle different from a right angle. It also includes the possibility of placement.

Plane of mechanical assembly of a first structure comprising a laser cutting device, a conveying track that circulates, a conveying means in the first configuration and a conveying device comprising two transportable pallets that can travel in the first arrangement example FIG. It is side view A of the conveying apparatus provided with the conveying means shown in FIG. It is a top view of the mechanical assembly shown in FIG. 1 provided with the conveyance pallet in the 2nd arrangement example. It is a side view B of the conveying apparatus provided with the conveying means shown in FIG. Plane of mechanical assembly of a second structure having a laser cutting device, a conveying track that circulates, a conveying means in the second configuration, and a conveying device comprising two conveying pallets that can travel in the first arrangement example FIG. It is side view A of the conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 5 provided with the conveying means in the first functional state. It is the side view A of the conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 5 provided with the conveying means in the second functional state. It is a top view of the mechanical assembly shown in Drawing 5 provided with the conveyance pallet in the 2nd example of arrangement. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a transport device for a mechanical assembly of a third structure provided with a transport device in the form of a transport carriage.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser cutting machine, 2 Conveying device, 3 Conveying track, 4 Machine frame, 5 Opening, 6 Working area, 7 ', 7' 'Metal thin board, 8', 8 '' Conveying pallet, 9 ', 9' 'rail Pair, 10 ', 10' 'rail pair, 11 Lifting device, 12 Lifting device, 13 Lifting device, 14 Lifting device, 15'-15' '' 'Rail segment, 16'-16' '' 'Rail segment, 17 '~ 17' '' 'rail segment, 18'-18' '' 'rail segment, 19 X roller, 20 Y roller, 21 transport direction, 22 branching section, 23 arrow direction, 24 process station, 25 cutting station, 26 Unloading station, 27 Unloading station, 28 Loading station, 29 slewing device, 30 slewing device, 31 slewing axis, 32 level, 33 part, 35 transport carriage, 36 rail pair, 38 table, 39 base part, 40 guide section, 41 rail pair, 42 material sheet metal stack, X transport line , Y transfer line, α turning angle, β turning angle

Claims (22)

  A mechanical assembly used for metal sheet processing, for positioning a metal sheet processing apparatus (1) and a sheet metal workpiece (7 ', 7' ') with respect to the metal sheet processing apparatus (1). And at least one workpiece support (8 ′) for supporting one sheet metal workpiece (7 ′, 7 ″). , 8 ″), the sheet metal workpiece (7 ′, 7 ″) is perpendicular to the first transfer line (X) and the first transfer line (X). The workpiece support (8 ′, 8 ″) can move along the transfer path, and can move in the horizontal direction along the second transfer line (Y) arranged on the transfer line. The path extends along the first transport line (X) and the second transport line (Y). A transport track (3) is provided along the transport path for the workpiece support (8 ', 8' '), and the transport track (3) is connected to the transport line (X). And at least one other X guide in a type having a guide (X guide) arranged in parallel with each other and a guide (Y guide) arranged in parallel to the transport line (Y) , At least one further Y guide, whereby at least two X guides and at least two Y guides are present, the workpiece support (8 ′, 8 ″) being connected to the X guide and Y Arranged so as to be able to circulate along the guide and connected to each other by means of conveying means, the workpiece support (8 ', 8' ') being selectable by means of conveying means X guide or Y guide The height of one X guide and one Y guide can be adjusted relative to each other by the conveying means, and one of the two guides is a workpiece support ( 8 ′, 8 ″) by supporting the workpiece support (8 ′, 8 ″) and the workpiece support (8 ′, 8 ″). Is lifted from the other guide, thereby receiving a workpiece support (8 ', 8' ') or of both guides, the workpiece support (8', 8 '') The thin metal plate is characterized in that one of the guides supporting the workpiece supports (8 ', 8' ') is transferred to the other guide by a downward movement with respect to the other guide. Used for processing Mechanical assembly.   The transfer device (2) has a transfer device (35) for the workpiece support (8 ′, 8 ″), and the transfer device (35) has a work piece support (8) along the transfer path. The workpiece support (8 ′, 8 ″) can be loaded under the movement of “, 8 ″), and the transporter (35) can load the workpiece support (8 ′, 8 ′) after loading. ') Along with the transport path and / or the workpiece support (8', 8 '') of the workpiece support (8 ', 8' ') along the transport path The mechanical assembly according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece support (8 ', 8 ") is unloadable from the loaded transporter (35) under motion.   3. The transport track (3) for the workpiece support (8 ′, 8 ″) is provided in the range of at least one guide section (40) provided in the transporter (35). Mechanical assembly.   4. The guide section (40) provided in the transporter (35) of the transport track (3) has the same structure as the portion (33) of the remaining transport track (3). Mechanical assembly.   5. The transport track (3) for the workpiece support (8 ′, 8 ″) is formed in part by a guide (36) for the transporter (35). The mechanical assembly described.   The guide section (40) provided on the transporter (35) and the guide (36) for the transporter (35) are offset from each other in the vertical direction. Mechanical assembly.   The workpiece support (8 ′, 8 ″) can be loaded onto the transporter (35) or the transporter (35) can be unloaded from the workpiece support (8 ′, 8 ″). Thus, the workpiece support (8 ', 8' ') can be selectively arranged corresponding to one X guide or one Y guide of the transport track (3). A mechanical assembly according to claim 1. The workpiece support (8 ′, 8 ″) and / or the transporter (35) has bearing means, by means of which the workpiece support (8 ′, 8 ″) and / or The mechanical assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the transporter (35) is movable relative to one X guide or one Y guide of the transport track (3).   X support means (19) in which the workpiece support (8 ', 8' ') and / or the transporter (35) is arranged corresponding to one X guide and the Y support arranged corresponding to one Y guide 9. A mechanical assembly according to claim 8, comprising means (20).   10. A mechanical assembly according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a roller is provided as a support means.   The X guide and the Y guide each have one rail or rail pair (9 ′, 9 ″, 10 ′, 10 ″, 36, 41). The mechanical assembly as described in the paragraph. Rollers for supporting the workpiece support (8 ′, 8 ″) and / or the transporter (35) on the X guide or Y guide form a pair of rollers arranged in parallel in the transport direction (21). 12. A mechanical assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 11.   The conveying means has an elevating device (11, 12, 13, 14), and one X guide and one Y guide are relatively relative to each other by the elevating device (11, 12, 13, 14). The mechanical assembly according to claim 1, wherein the height is adjustable.   The conveying means has a turning device (29, 30), and the turning device (29, 30) allows one X guide and one Y guide to turn relative to each other. The mechanical assembly according to any one of 1 to 12.   The X guide and the Y guide are arranged at different heights, and the guide segment of the X guide or the guide segment (15 of the Y guide) is provided by an elevating device (11, 12, 13, 14) provided as conveying means. 14. Mechanical according to claim 13, wherein '-15 "", 16'-16 "", 17'-17 "", 18'-18 "") are height adjustable. Assembly.   15. Mechanical assembly according to claim 14, wherein the guide segment of the X guide or the guide segment of the Y guide can be swiveled by a swiveling device (29, 30) provided as a transport means.   A drive device for the workpiece support (8 ', 8' ') is provided, the drive device having one drive means respectively arranged corresponding to one X guide and / or one Y guide 17. A mechanical assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.   18. The mechanical assembly according to claim 17, wherein one chain drive is provided as each of the driving means arranged corresponding to the one X guide and / or the one Y guide.   The mechanical assembly according to claim 2, wherein the transporter (35) comprises a motor drive.   20. A mechanical assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more transport means are selectively drivable.   21. A mechanical assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the one or more transport means are selectively drivable electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically.   22. Mechanical assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of sheet metal working devices (1) and / or handling components are arranged along the transport line (X, Y).

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